Ser Waymer Royce leads Gared and Will on a ranging past the wall to hunt down Wildlings that have looted their villages. Will found them dead in a clearing. This is good enough for Gared (40 years in the Night’s Watch) who is ready to return as their mission is completed. Ser Waymer (6 months in the Night’s Watch) isn’t convinced and has Will lead him to the camp. Gared is left behind to guard the horses. Ser Waymer has Will climb a tree for a better view when they find the clearing empty. When the pale figures with blue eyes approach, Will keeps silent. Ser Waymer challenges one and is killed. The group moves on leaving the body. When Will finally comes down to check, Ser Waymer has blue eyes and grabs him.

Bran (7) is brought along for the execution of Gared, who deserted the Night’s Watch. His half brother, Jon Snow (14) tells him to keep his pony calm and not to look away. Edard Stark, lord of Winterfell and father of Bran and Jon, beheads the man. Afterwards he explains to Bran that since he sentenced the man, he had to perform the execution. Edard’s ward, Theon Greyjoy (19) kicks the head. ON the way back, Robb Stark (14) and Jon find a direwolf killed by an antler. They are all surprised because the beasts have not been seen south of the wall in hundreds of years. Five pups are found and Jon points out there is one for each of the five Stark children. Robb convinces Edard (his father) that they can take care of them. After collecting the pups, they continue home. Jon finds a sixth pup, an albino away from the others and decides to keep it.

Catelyn approaches her husband, Edard (Ned) in the godswood inside Winterfell’s castle. She finds him under the heart tree (white with red leaves and a face carved in it) and is uncomfortable because she grew up with the new gods. She tells him that Hon Arryn has died. Ned was his ward when he was younger as well as King Robert Baratheon. Ned immediately asks about Catelyn’s sister, Lysa (married to Jon Arryn) and her son. Catelyn wishes that she would go home to Riverrrun, but she stays in her husband’s domain, the Eyrie. However, their uncle, Brynden, will be able to help her some as Jon Arryn had made him Knight of Gate. Catelyn also tells Ned that King Robert Baratheon is making his way to Winterfell with his entire family, including his brothers-in-law. Ned starts to plan for the visit.

Viserys is preparing his sister, Daenerys (Dany) to present to Kahl Drogo. He was just eight when the Usurper killed their father and brother. Their mother fled with him, taking Dany in her womb. After Dany was born in Dragonstone and their mother died in birthing, they sailed across the Narrow Sea. Viserys has kept them moving for fear that the Usurper is still after them. He plans to sell Dany to Kahl Drogo to get an army to take back the throne. Their current host, Magister Illyrio, takes them to meet the horse lord. Dany always thought she’d marry her brother (Targaryen tradition to keep the blood pure) and admits that she doesn’t want to marry Kahl Drogo. When she sees him and his long braid (indicating he has never lost a fight) she is scared. Viserys says he is the reincarnation of Aegon the Dragon lord. He doesn’t vie her a choice and threatens her.

Edard welcomes the king and his family to Winterfell. Robert insists they go to the tombs and Edard takes him. The king loved Edard’s sister, Lyanna. Robert avenged her death, but Ned was the only one that was with her when she died. King Robert tells him about how quick Jon Arryn’s death was. His wife and son retruend to the Eyrie, refusing to let the boy be raised by anyone else as he should be. Robert needs a new Hand of the King and asks Ned. He also offers to unite their hoses by having Prince Joffery marry Ned’s oldest daughter, Sansa (11). Ned agrees to think about it.

Jon Snow isn’t very interested in the royal family or the ceremonies. He sits down with the common folk for the feast because Catelyn didn’t think it would be appropriate for him to sit with the royal children. He feeds a chicken to Ghost (his direwolf) and shortly after his Uncle Benjen comes to talk to him. Jon begs his uncle to take him back to the Wall to join the Night’s Watch, but Benjen thinks he is still too young to take the oath. He tells Jon to have a few bastards of his own first and Jon yells that he never will. He leaves embarrassed and finds Tyrion Lannister, the Imp, outside. Tyrion explains that all dwarfs are looked down on, so he knows what it feels like for Jon. He tells him to make his weakness his strength so that others can’t use it against him.

Ned doesn’t have any desire to go south with Robert, and Catelyn tries to convince him that his refusal would be considered a betrayal. Maester Luwin comes to their room to deliver a secret message sent by Catelyn’s sister, Lysa. She believes that her husband, Jon Arryn, was killed by Circe, the queen. The maester and Catelyn convince Ned that he will have to go and unite their houses. He plans to take all of the children except Robb and Rickon. Catelyn is upset that Bran won’t be allowed to stay. She points out that Jon Snow will not be allowed to stay with her. Maester Luwin informs them that Jon asked to join the Night’s Watch. They start planning for the trip.

Arya sits in the tower with the other young girls while Septa Mordane teaches them how to stitch needlework. Sansa, her sister, is much better at the womanly arts and Arya is jealous. Arya is embarrassed when Septa Mordane points out how poor her work is. She ends up leaving and taking her wolf, Nymeria, to visit with Jon. They watch young Prince Tommen fight Bran with practice swords instructed by Master of Arms, Ser Rodrik. When they are done, Robb is willing to take Prince Joffrey on again, but the prince is bored and walks away while making fun of them. Theon has to hold him back. Jon sends Arya to her room before she gets into more trouble, Septa Mordane and her mom are waiting for her.

On the last day before they are to make the trip to King’s Landing, most of the men go out hunting. Bran is left behind and told to say goodbye to Winterfell. He goes to the godswood with his unnamed wolf and starts climbing, wanting to get one last look from the tallest, burnt down tower. ON his way up, he hears a man and a woman talking about his father and the death of Jon Arryn. Bran decides to look in the window and is shocked when he sees the queen naked with her twin brother. Cercei sees him and screams. Bran almost falls but catches himself. Jamie helps him onto the window sill before pushing him out.

Tyrion spends all night reading and then goes out to find Joffrey. He overhears the Hound, Sandor Clegane, offer to kill Bran’s wolf that has been howling since he was hurt. Tyrion sends Joffrey to give his sympathies to Lord and Lady Stark before going off to find his brother. Tyrion delivers the news that Bran may live. Tommen and Marcella are happy, but Cersei and Jamie share a look. After the queen removes her children, Tyrion makes a comment about Bran talking when he wakes up.

Jon defies Catelyn’s wishes and says his goodbye to Bran. Catelyn tells him it should have been him and Jon leaves. He says goodbye to Robb and then stops at the armory before going to see Arya. he gives her a thin sword and jokingly tells her it is named after her favorite thing: Needle. He tells her they will cross paths again before going to meet Benjen for their trip.

The wedding between Dany and Drogo is extravagant, lasting all day. Viserys is upset that the couple is considered higher than him and he grows impatient fro an army to help him take back the Seven Kingdoms. Ser Jorah Mormont (exiled from Westros for human trafficking) warns him to be patient. There is dancing and fighting (12 deaths) before gifts are presented to Dany. Ser Jorah gives her a book, her brother ives her servants, and magister Illyrio gives her three petrified dragon eggs. Drogo gives her a silver mare to match her hair. She rides the horse easily and even leaps flames. The couple rides off together to consummate their marriage. He explores her for a long time and eventually asks. She agrees and shows him she wants him to.

King Robert wakes Ned up so they can ride off and talk alone before the rest of the camp is awake. Robert asks about Jon Snow’s mother, but Ned refuses to tell anything, but that her name is Wylla. Ser Jorah Mormont has sent news of Dany and Drogo’s wedding. Robert wants to kill all Targaryens, including Viserys and Dany. Ned tries to talk him out of murdering children. the conversation changes topics and Robert admits that he is going to name Jamie Lannister as Warden of the East. Ned points out that Jamie was also sworn to protect the last king and was the one who ended up killing him When this doesn’t convince Robert, Ned reminds him the Lannisters took King’s Landing by treachery. When Ned showed up, Jamie was sitting on the throne. The king doesn’t show any concern for Ned’s warnings.

Tyrion travels towards the Wall with Benjen Stark, Jon Snow, and two of his own guards. ALong the way, they meet up with Yoren who is taking two rapists to join the Night’s Watch. Tyrion isn’t much help at setting up camp, so he goes to read about dragons. He remembers seeing the black dragon skulls from the Targaryen’s dragons in the cellar of the king’s castle. Jon asks him why he reads so much, and Tyrion points out that his mind is his greatest asset to the Lannister family. When Tyrion starts making light of Jon’s situation, they boy tells him to stop. The dwarf continues until Jon screams for him to stop. Ghost knocks Tyrion down and he has to apologize before Jon will help him up. They make their way back to camp with the others.

Catelyn hasn’t left Bran’s side since his fall. Maester Luwin checks on them both and tires together to focus on Winterfell’s issues. Robb comes in and offers to take care of matters. he tries to convince his mother that her other children still need her. He notices the library on fire and leaves her to help put it out. A man comes in to kill Bran and is surprised Catelyn is there. He goes to kill her first, but Bran’s wolf comes in and kills the man. Catelyn is taken care of in her own room and starts to think more clearly after four days of sleep. Robb, Rodrik, Maester Luwin, and Theon meet in her room. They discuss the fancy knife that was used. She swears them to secrecy before telling them about the letter from her sister. She and Rodrik plan to ride to King’s Landing to warn Ned of what is going on and the at the Lannisters are most likely behind it.

Sansa is excited to ride in the carriage with the queen and princess for the day. However, the plans are cancelled when Ser Barristan and Lord Renly (King Robert’s younger brother) arrive. Ser Ilyn (Aerys Targaryen took his tongue) scares her. The prince comes to save her from Payne and the Hound. He offers to spend the day with her and they go riding. They hear swords clanking together and Joffrey wants to see what it is. They find Arya and her friend, Mycah playing with wooden sticks like they were swords. Mycha drops his when the prince makes himself known. Joffrey tells him to pick up his sword and uses his real one to cut Mycah’s cheek. Arya tells at him to stop. When he doesn’t, she hits him across the back of the head with her own stick. Mycah runs into the woods. Joffrey goes after Arya, but Nymeria comes to her defense and bites his sword hand. Arya runs off and Sansa runs to Joffrey. She offers to get help and he sends her away with a hateful tone.

The camp spends four days looking for Arya before they finally find her. Jory immediately goes to Ned to let him know the Lannister guards immediately took her to the king. Ned goes to Arya and tells Jory to get Sansa. Arya tells the truth and Joffrey tells his lies. Sansa says she doesn’t know what happened. Robert agrees that the fathers will punish their own children. Cersei demands a wolf skin, so Robert orders the death of Sansa’s wolf, Lady. Ned challenges Robert to execute the direwolf himself. When Robert refuses, Ned goes to do it himself. He tells Jory to take four men to bury the body at Winterfell, refusing to let the queen have her skin. The Hound returns from his hunt with Mycah’s body.

Bran dreams about falling from the tower. A three eyed crow tells him to fly. Bran looks out and sees everything across the lands and beyond the Narrow Sea. He sees beyond the Wall and the bird tells him he must live. Bran decides to try flying rather than dying. The bird pecks him in the forehead. Bran wakes up and his wolf greets him. Bran decides that his name is Summer.

Catelyn and Ser Rodrik travel by Captain Moreo’s boat to King’s Landing. He suggests a place to stay and Rodrik takes off to find Ser Aron Santagar, the Master at Arms. Catelyn naps while he is gone and is woken up by someone knocking at her door. He is there to take her to the castle as requested by Littlefinger (Petyr Baelish, Master of Coin). She goes with him and soon, the Spider (Lord Varys, Master of Whispers) offers her help for her hand and Bran, but she turns them both down. He asks to see the dagger and she shows him. Littlefinger says that he lost it to Tyrion gambling on Jamie Lannister in the jousting tournament.

Jon Snow trains with Grenn while Castle Black’s Master at Arms, Ser Alliser Thorne, watches, hating them all. Jon is disappointed with how it is at the Night’s Watch and hasn’t made any friends. Four boys attack him (all ones he has beaten in combat in the yard) in the armory. Donal Noyle breaks it up and sends the others away. He tells Jon Snow that he is a bully for being proud of beating the boys that have never had training until their arrival at the wall. He sends Jon away, tell him to start thinking or watch his back. Tyrion finds Jon looking up at the wall and invites him to go get lunch. In the common room, they sit away from the others. Tyrion tells him that Benjen should have returned from his ranging. Ser Alliser comes to send Jon to Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. Robb sent a letter to tell him Bran work up, but is crippled. Jon is jovial by the time he gets back to the common room. He apologizes to Grenn for hurting his wrist and offers to teach him how to defend the move. Alliser is not happy with Jon.

As soon as Ned arrives in the Red Keep, he is summoned for a small council meeting. Renly, Littlefinger, Varys, and Maester Pycelle are there, but Robert and Ser Barristan are still traveling. Renly points out they would wait a long time if they were to join and Stannis (Robert’s older brother) has been at Dragonstone a while. They tell him the extravagant feast the king wants for the new Hand. Littlefinger points out they will have to borrow more money as the kingdom is already so far in debt. Ned vows to talk to Robert about the debt before they adjourn. Littlefinger leads Ned out of the castle, down a cliff, and to his brothel. Catelyn is inside to tell him what happened. When they are alone, he tells his wife to call on his banner men to protect the north from a possible war with the Lannisters. He is weary of Littlefinger’s help.

Tyrion dines with the high officers of the Night’s Watch. He offends Ser Alliser, who leaves the room. Later that night, Commander Mormont asks him to talk to the king and his father, Tywin, about their situation at the Wall. Men are disappearing and their number are dwindling. Some men have spotted white walkers. He fears what will happen when winter comes after the current nine years of summer. Tyrion obliges him. He starts to go to bed, but decides to see the top of the Wall first. The dwarf is pulled up in a cage. At the top, he starts walking hand meets Jon Snow, who is sad he will be leaving. Jon gives him messages for his brothers and asks him to help Bran. Jon calls the imp friend and tells him he plans on going beyond the Wall to find his uncle.

At dinner with the Stark household, Ned leaves early after agreeing to let him daughters attend the tournament. Arya is upset and asks to be excused. Septa Mordane refuses the request, but Arya runs off anyway. Ned comes to her room and finds her with Needle. He tells her that she needs to grow up quickly because there are people in King’s Landing that want to hurt them. They will need each other to survive. A few days later, Arya is taken to Syrio Forel for dancing lessons. He starts teaching her how to use a heavy wooden sword in the style of the Braavos water dance.Dany spends the first few days of riding in extreme pain. One night, she dreams about a dragon (from on of her stone eggs, which are starting to feel warm) breathing fire on her. The next morning she feels better. Drogo rides with his blood riders during the day, leaving her with her brother, hand maidens, khas guards, and Ser Jorah Mormont. She tells Ser Jorah that she wants to ride alone and commands the rest to stay back. As she is enjoying the Dothraki Sea, he brother approaches her, angry that she gave him a command. When he pokes her chest, she hits him. Her khas are there and one holds Viserys back by his neck with a whip. Dany tells them not to hurt him, but to take away his horse and make him walk back. As the rest of them ride back to the khalasar, Dany admits that she knew viserys would not take back the Seven Kingdoms. Ser Jorah points out what a horrible king he would be. That night Dany asks her older hand maiden, Doreah (found in a whorehouse), to stay for dinner. That night, when Drogo comes to her, she leads him outside and mounts him (rather than him taking her from behind). By the time they are on the far side of the sea, she is pregnant at fourteen.

Bran bitterly listens to Rickon playing outside with the wolves. He is angry that the crow lied to him and he can’t even run, let alone fly. Old Nan sits by his bed and tells him the story of the Others and the Children of the Forest. THey are interrupted when Bran is requested by Tyrion. Hodor carries him down to the great hall and seats him next to Robb, who is refusing to let the imp stay in Winterfell. Tyrion gives Bran a design for a saddle that will let him ride without the use of his legs. He recommends freshly training a horse for it. Tyrion agrees to leave so they will both feel safer. Bran is returned to his room where he dreams about climbing and talking to gargoyles. When he wakes up, Hodor takes him back to the hall for dinner. When Robb asks about Jon and Benjen, the men of the Nights Watch that came down with Tyrion tell him their uncle is missing. Bran mentions the Children of the Forest and Maester Luwin says they are all long dead. Yoren points out that no one knows what is dead or alive north of the Wall. Robb stays with Bran that night.

Ned talks to Maester Pycell about Jon Arryn’s death. The maester tells him there was nothing about it that made him suspect foul play. Ned points out Lysa’s suspicions and Pycell waves them away to grief. Ned asks for the book Pycell lent to Jon Arryn before he became ill and the maester promises to send it along. In the halls, Ned finds Arya trying to balance on her toes for her dancing master’s lessons. Petyr Baelish calls on him shortly after. He tells Ned that there are only four people remaining that were in Jon Arryn’s service. He also points out the spies that are watching him and suggests Ned send someone he trusts. Ned apologizes for not trusting him and Littlefinger tells him he shouldn’t.

Jon is helping Dareon with a move when Samwell Tarly comes to join them. Ser Alliser has one of the boys, Halder, beat the fat coward, Sam. When Sam falls and Alliser commands him to keep hitting, Jon steps in to stop it. Alliser sends Halder and two others after Jon, who is to defend Sam. Pyp and Grenn join Jon, and they are able to defeat the others. Jon goes about his afternoon chores and takes Sam for a walk along the Wall after dinner. Jon tells him how he dreams of an empty Winterfell. Sam tells Jon about his father not wanting him to inherit his titles or his sword. He told Sam to join the Night’s Watch or be hunted down and killed. After Same goes to bed, Jon gets all of his friends to agree not to hurt Sam (except Rast, but Ghost helps wit the convincing). Sam thanks him and Jon calls him brother.

Ned sits at a council meeting where Janos Slynt, the commander of the City Watch asks for more men to counter the damage being done as people flock to town for the tourney. Ned tells him to hire more and gives some people from his own house. he asks if there is any word of Stannis returning from Dragonstone. Renly jokes that they would have to get rid of the brothels for him to return Ned goes to the Hand’s tower where Jory informs him that Jon Arryn and Stannis visited a brothel and a blacksmith. Ned has Jory start searching the brothels fro which one they might have visited. ned goes to see the armorer, Master Mott, who informs him that they asked to see a boy, Gendry. Ned talks to him, realizing he is Robert’s bastard, and tells the master to send him to him if Gendry ever wants to wield a sword.

Catelyn and Ser Rodrik are not noticed as they travel north on the King’s Road. They stop at an Inn that is full of people heading south for the tourney. As they eat dinner, Tyrion comes in looking for a place to stay. As he makes his way to the room he bought of another guest, he spots Catelyn and greets her as Lady Stark. Catelyn, seeing many men in the room wearing sigils of her father’s banner men, she points them out. When she is through she asks them for help in transporting Tyrion to Winterfell for conspiring to kill Bran. THey all stand and draw their swords.

Sansa watches the various jousts throughout the day of the tourney. Her friend has to leave when Ser Gregor’s (the Mountain that Rides) lance kills a man right in front of them. Ser Loras gives out a white rose after each victory, but gives Sansa a red one. The Mountain, the Hound, the King Slayer, and Ser Loras are the only riders left when it becomes too dark to continue. Joffrey sits and talks with Sansa through the entire feast. When he asks if she needs an escort back to the castle, she accepts. The prince calls on the Hound to take her back. On the way, Sansa tries to be a polite lady as she was taught. Sandor mocks her and tells her his face is burned because he took one of his brother’s (the Mountain) toys when they were children. He tells her if she tells anyone, he will kill her.

Ned goes to King Robert’s tent to find his squires (Lannister boys) trying to put armor on the fat king. Robert sends them off. Ser Barristan and Ned convince him that no one will oppose him in the melee he intends to participate in. He sends Barristan away and talks to Ned about Joffrey, running away, and how much he hates being king. Ned watches the rest of the jousting with Sansa. The Hound takes the day when he saves Ser Loras from the Mountain. Late that night, Varys comes disguised to talk to Ned. He tells him the melee was intended to kill Robert and other conspiracies about the Lannisters. Varys points out that Jon Arryn was killed by a rare poison for asking questions.

Tyrion rides blindfolded until the party’s first stop. He realizes that Catelyn had said they were going to Winterfell back at the inn, but they are actually heading towards her sister’s home, the Eyrie. Catelyn tells the imp what Littlefinger told her. Tyrion had won the dagger from him when Ser Loras unseated Jaime at Joffrey’s name-day tourney. Suddenly, they are attacked. Catelyn agrees to arm Tyrion and his men to fight with them. Tyrion starts out hiding behind a rock with the singer, Marillion. In the end, he fights with an axe and saves Catelyn. Lady Stark wants to bury the bodies of their fallen men, but Bronn points out they don’t have time. They start moving again and Tyrion approaches Catelyn and Ser Rodrik. He points out the flaw in Littlefinger’s story: he never bets against his family.

Arya is chasing the only cat she hasn’t caught and taken back to Syrio as part of her training. She does manage to catch it, but the princess and younger prince, Tommen, see her. They don’t recognize her and Lannister guards that are with them go to take Arya out of the castle. She repeats what Syrio has taught her to get away and hides in the dungeon with the dragon skulls. She finds a trap door that takes her into a pitch black hallway. She follows it until she feels air and hears two men talking as they walk. They are trying to delay a war between the Starks and Lannisters, but think Ned will learn the truth too quickly to stall. One suggests they kill him, but the other is against it. When they are far enough away, Arya continues down the hall until she exits a sewer. She bathes in the river before making her way back to the castle. The guards don’t recognize her and have to send for someone to claim her. Arya is taken to Ned, and tells him what happened. He thinks her imagination has gone wild. Yoren comes to deliver the news about Catelyn and Tyrion, so Arya is sent away.

Ned argues with Robert about killing Dany. Ser Barristan is the only one on the small council to side with him. Ned tells Robert to do what he wants, but he refuses to be involved. The king tells him that if he ever sees him again, he will put his head on a pike. ned returns to the Tower of the Hand and starts making preparations to return to Winterfell as quickly as possible. Littlefinger appears to tell him he knows which brothel Jory has been searching for.

As they continue on, Catelyn’s party looses more men to the local clans. Ser Donnel Waynwood comes to meet them with escorts and explains that Lysa is ordering them all to stay in the Vale. Ser Brynden Tully, Catelyn’s uncle, greets them at the gate and permits entrance. Catelyn tells her uncle her story along the way. When they get to the bottom of the mountain, they are greeted by Lord Nester Royce. Catelyn is to be lead up alone that night while the others wait. She mounts a mule and follows a baster girl, Mya Stone, who dreams of marrying Mychel Redfort. Catelyn knows the highborn boy will have other arrangements made for him by his parents. they go through the first tow phases: stone and snow. Catelyn has to stop once for fear of falling. Mya leads her through the rest of the way. when they get to the last part, sky, Mya explains they will have to climb stairs through a dark tunnel. Catelyn gives up her pride and asks to be sent up in a supply basket. When she finally is alone with her sister, Lysa is furious that Catelyn brought the war to her. Catelyn can see that her sister has gone a little crazy. Lysa’s sick little boy, Robert, joins them. Catelyn tries to talk sense into Lysa, but she will not hear it and refuses to believe they aren’t safe hiding away in the Eyrie.

Ned takes Jory and Wyl with him to the brothel to meet the mother of Robert’s newest bastard girl. He still doesn’t understand why Jon Arryn went looking for them. Littlefinger rides back with them in the dark rain. Suddenly, Jaime and his men surround them. He is furious that Catelyn took Tyrion. He decides to let Ned go, but has his men kill Jory and Wyl. Ned tries to stop them, but his horse falls on him and breaks his leg. He is left there alone until the City Watch finds him and returns him to the castle.

The khalasar makes it to Vaes Dothrak where Dany will be presented to the dosh khaleen. Drogo goes with his blood riders to the Mother Mountain. Viserys spends his time complaining and demanding. Dany has her hand maidens prepare clothes and food for him. She sends Doreah to ask him to dinner. When he arrives, he is furious because the girl said Dany commanded it. She tries to calm her brother down, but her gifts seem to insult him. He threatens her and she hits him with the belt she had made for him. She sends him away and gives the food to the servants. She holds a dragon egg and feels her baby move.

Bran is able to ride in the saddle Tyrion designed. Robb takes him out of Winterfell for the first time with Theon, Maester Luwin, and a few guardsmen. The wolves to with them, but wander off and howl when they’ve made a kill. Robb and Bran are a bit ahead of the others, so Robb leaves Bran to find the wolves. Six people appear to rob Bran. When Robb comes back with the wolves, they take out all but two. Robb fights a tall wildling girl, Osha, while a deserter of the Night’s Watch puts a knife to Bran’s neck. Theon kills him from behind and Osha begs for mercy, which Robb grants.

Tyrion wakes up in the Eyrie’s dungeon. There is a wall missing that looks over a 600 foot drop. His jailor, Mord, likes to torture him and he regrets not keeping his mouth shut in front of Lysa. Catelyn had come to his rescue. He calls to Mord and promises to make him rich if he tells Lady Arryn that he wants to confess his crimes. Ser Vardis Egen comes for him and takes him to the hall. Tyrion starts to confess his crimes. When they are not the crimes Lysa is expecting, she has the mood door opened. Tyrion demands a trial and Lysa seems very sure that her son will find him guilty. The imp insists on a trial by combat. Lysa names Ser Vardis as her champion, but he doesn’t want to fight a dwarf. Tyrion names his brother, Jaime, as his champion. Lysa refuses to wait for the King Slayer to be summoned from King’s Landing. Bronn volunteers.

Ned dreams about going to the tower where Lyanna was held captive by three of the King’s Guard (Ser Oswalll Whent, Ser Arthur Dayne, and Commander Ser Gerold Hightower) after Robert’s victory on the Trident. As Lyanna yells for him, he wakes up. Ned sends for the captain of the house guards, which is now Alyn, who has been taking care of everything. Robert and Cersei come to talk to him. The queen is furious that Ned has one of her brothers hostage and made the other flee the city. Robert silences her by hitting her when she refuses to stop making wild accusations. Ned explains he went to see Robert’s bastard. The king makes him take back the Hand position and decides they will talk when he returns from hunting.

Catelyn and Ser Rodrik decide that they will return to Winterfell soon. Her Uncle Brynden will return to Riverrun when they go and asks her to attempt talking sense into her sister. Lysa will not be reasoned with and everyone gathers in a garden that was meant to be a godswood. Before the fight begins, Maester Colemon points out that Jon Arryn wanted his son sent to Dragonstone to be raised strong and away from his mother. The fight starts and Bronn dances around the heavily armed Ser Vardis. In the end, the sell-sword wins and he and Tyrion are told to leave by the high road.

With the new recruits Yoren is bringing back for training, Alliser decides that eight of them are ready to take their vows and become men of the Night’s Watch. Jon is included, but Sam is not. Jon goes out riding and realizes that he can leave anytime he wants before he takes his vows. Sam is stuck and Ser Alliser will end up killing him. Jon goes to Maester Aemon. His stewards don’t want to let them in, but he insists until they do. He tells the maester the dilemma with Sam and admits to his weakness. He asks him to consider using Sam’s love of books and animals to help the Night’s Watch. Aemon agrees to consider.

Tyrion and Bronn spend a little time arguing about how to make it back to the Riverlands alive. Tyrion hires Bronn as his personal body guard. The imp tells him how Jaime hired a whore for Tyrion to protect. He fell in love with her and married her secretly. When Tywin found out, he brought Jaime to tell him his wife was a whore. Tywin had his guards sleep with her and then also made Tyrion sleep with her. He goes to sleep and Bronn wakes him up when the clansmen come. After seeing their weapons, Tyrion offers them steel to get them back safely. They agree as the women and children are starving. Tyrion promises them the Vale.

While Robert and half the men in the kingdom are out hunting a white hart, Ned sits on the iron throne to listen to petitions. Lord Hoster of Riverrun sent Ser Marq Karyl and Raymun to ask for the king’s justice on the Mountain and the Lannisters for raiding their towns. After hearing them, he strips the Mountain of all lands and titles. He sends Ser Robar Royce to inform Robert. Ser Loras offers to kill Gregor Clegane, but Ned can tell he is looking for vengeance. He sends Lord Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr (who won the melee with his fire sword), Ser Gladden, and Lord Lothar in his steed (though he believes he should carry out the sentence he ordered) He adjourns the great hall. Varys points out that the Tyrells could be good allies against the Lannisters and the king’s justice (Ser Ilyn Payne) is not happy that Ned gave his job to others. Ned points out the mute man’s loyalty is to Lannister and shouldn’t be put in such a position.

Sansa and her friend Jeyne Poole stay up talking about what happened that day in court. Jeyne likes Ser Beric, but Sansa doesn’t have the heart to tell her that her station is too low for him. The next morning, Sansa watches the group of knights as they prepare to leave. Arya and Sansa get into an argument over breakfast and Sansa’s dress is ruined by a blood orange Arya throws at her. Sansa goes back to her room to cry and sleep until Septa Mordane comes to fetch her. Sansa and Arya are taken to Ned, who tells them they are being sent back to Winterfell. Ned agrees to send Syrio with them if he agrees to go. Sansa insists that she loves Joffery. Ned sends them away when she points out the prince is nothing like the king.

Grand Maester Pycelle comes to tell Ned that Tywin isn’t happy about Ser Beric and the other riding out to kill Gregor Clegane. Ned realizes he is one of the queens men and sends back his own cryptic message. Littlefinger visits him to warn him that Sandor will not be happy about his brother’s death. Ned studies the History book Jon Arryn had read. He realizes that every Baratheon child has been born with black hair. He has his men help him to the godswood and sends for the queen. When she arrives, she admits that Jaime is her lover and all of her children are his. He warns her that he plans to tell Robert and wants to give her a chance to run away. She tries to seduce him into keeping the secret by offering to have him reign until Joffrey is king. He turns her down. She leaves, making threats.

Dany eats an entire horse heart to prove that the boy she carries will be strong. The dosh khaleen (widows of khals who now live in Vaes Dothrak and give council) call him the Stallion that will mount the world. Dany names him Rhaego. Viserys comes into the feast drunk and demanding his crown. When he pulls out a sword and points it at Dany’s pregnant belly, Khal Drogo steps in with his blood riders. He melts down his own solid gold belt in a pot. Drogo tells him that he will have his crown and pours the liquid gold over his head. Dany doesn’t believe that he was a dragon because he was killed by fire.

Ned is woken up in the middle of the night by Robert’s steward. He dresses and then goes to see the king dying from a wound inflicted by a boar he was hunting. Robert sends everyone by Ned out of the room. He thinks this is punishment from the gods for sending people to kill Dany. He has Ned write that after he dies, Ned will be the Protector of the Realm until Joffrey comes of age. As he writes, Ned leaves out Joffrey’s name and replaces it with “heir.” Varys and Maester Pycelle witness him sealing it. Ned leaves and is approached by Renly, who suggests they keep the power by taking Cersei’s children. Ned recuses and sends for Littlefinger. He wants him to pay the King’s guard and the City Watch to back him instead of the queen. Petyr says he will arrange it, but thinks naming Stannis as heir will start a war, and it would be better to have Ned in power.

Jon acts surprised when Sam tells him that he will be taking his vows with the others. Commander mormont gives his speech and asks if any of them want to say their words to the old gods. Jon does and Sam asks to as well because the Seven haven’t listened to his prayers yet. Mormont announces the recruits positions. Jon is furious to be the Commander’s steward until Sam points out that it is mostly likely training him for command. They go beyond the wall to a group of nine weirwoods and say their words. ghost comes up to them with a hand.

Ned wakes up and looks out his window to find Lannister men in their red cloaks throughout the courtyard. When Maester Pycelle brings him word that Robert has died, he calls a small council meeting. He shows them the late king’s words and asks them to grant the request. They are suddenly summoned by the king and make their way to the throne room. Cersei tells him to bend a knee to the new king and she will let him go home. He refuses and orders the guards to take her away. He is surprised when they start to slaughter his men. Little finger takes his dagger and holds it to his neck, telling him he shouldn’t have trusted him.

Syrio gives Arya her last dancing lesson before they are supposed to return to Winterfell. he teaches her about seeing rather than just watching. Guards come and demand that Arya go with them. When Syrio holds her back, she starts to see that the situation is wrong. He tells her to run and then starts fighting off the knights with his wooden sword. There is only one left, who cuts the wood in half, when Arya runs away. She makes her way to the stables where she finds dead Stark men and her trunk. A stableboy comes after her looking for a reward from the queen. She draws Needle and kills him when he grabs her. She realizes the gates to the city will be closed and she won’t be able to get out. She finds her way back to the cellar with the dragon skulls, goes through the window and makes her way down the hallway to get out of the city.

Sansa went to the queen when she learned she was supposed to return to Winterfell. They had her locked up in a tower when all the fighting began. They put Jeyne in with her and three days later, she was brought before the queen and small council. They tell her that her father betrayed the new king. Cersei wants her to write to her family to convince them to stay loyal. The queen wants assurance that Sansa isn’t tainted with traitor blood. She writes to her families in Winterfell and Riverrun begging them to remain loyal. That night before she falls asleep, she realizes she forgot to ask about her sister, Arya.

Commander Mormont and a few others come to look at the bodies of two men from Benjen Stark’s party that Ghost found. Sam points out the lack of blood suggests they have been killed elsewhere a while ago and left there. He also notices that the animals (except Ghost) won’t go near the bodies. One of the officers also points out that the men were not blue-eyed in life, but they are now. Mormont has them taken in for Maester Aemon to study. When they return, Jon feels like people are giving him odd looks. Mormont calls him to his office to tell him the news about Ned. Jon can’t believe that it is true. Alliser makes a comment about it to mock Jon and the boy goes after him with his dagger. Mormont locks him up with Ghost with a guard outside the door. That night, Ghost claws at the door. Jon opens it to find his guard dead. He takes the sword off him and follows Ghost to Mormont’s quarters. He finds Othor, one of the men they found in the woods alive. Ghost attacks and Jon follows suit. When Mormont arrives with a lantern, Jon uses it to set the curtains on fire and throws them at Othor.

Bran watches as the last of the Starks banner men gather at Winterfell. Robb will not let him out of the castle as they fight among themselves. Lord Robb hosts different men for dinner and each make their comments about not wanting to listen to him. The Great Jon pulls his sword on Robb and Grey Wind tears of two of his fingers. After that, the huge man is Robb’s right hand man. Bran has to host the children of the important families and they call him broken. Bran goes to the godswood to pray that his father and brother return. Osha is there and points out that the old gods don’ t have power in the south. Robb is marching his army the wrong way because the white walkers are coming. Bran tells this to Maester Luwin, but he doesn’t think Robb needs to be informed. Bran says goodbye to Robb, but Rickon refuses.

Dany tires to talk to Drogo about Westeros, but he refuses to hear about it. Ser Jorah offers to take her to the WEst Market. When they arrive with her khas and handmaidens, Jorah goes to check if any messages have come. Dany is offered several gifts. A wine-seller offers her wine. She speaks to him in Valerian and Doreah explains who she is. He offers her a cask of wine, but Ser Jorah returns and demands the man drink it first. He throws the cask at Dany and tries to run, but is caught. Jorah tells her he received a message from Illyrio explaining King Robert’s offer for land in titles in exchange for her life. Back home, Dany has Ser Jorah light a fire and puts the dragon egg into it. When Drogo returns, she tells him what happened in the market. He vows that Rhaego will sit on the iron throne. They head west.

Catelyn sent Ser Rodrik back to Winterfell and meets Robb at the Moat Cainlin. She finds him with the Stark’s banner men and asks to speak to him alone. He shows her the letter from Sansa and she immediately recognizes the words are Cerise’s. She asks him about his battle plan and options. He plans to split his army in two , one to meet Tywin and the other to fight Jaime. He intends to put a river between the two and hold the only crossing at the Twins since Lord Frey is the Tully’s banner man. He hopes to get one of the Lannisters prisoner to trade fro the rest of his family. Catlyn helps him see that if he wants to lead the smaller force against Jaime, he will need someone cunning leading the larger force. He decides on Roose Bolton. Catlyn decides to go with Robb to meet up with her brother and dying father.

Tyrion takes a few of the clansmen with him to meet the Lannister army. THey are taken to the Inn that Catelyn captured him in. Tywin tells him of the king’s death and their plan to destroy Robb Stark’s army. Tyrion introduces his father to the clansmen, who agree to fight with them if Tyrion also fights.

Sansa goes to the throne room for Joffrey’s first council. After calling out all the names that must swear fealty, he promotes Janos Slynt to Commander of the City Watch. He then calls on Ser Barristan to tell him they are forcing him to retire. He throws his cloak and sword to the ground after not being able to persuade them to reconsider. He swears to die as a knight and leaves. Joffrey sends Ser Janos after him feeling that his words were a threat. He promotes the Hound to the King’s guard. Sansa approaches the king and asks for mercy for her father. They agree that if he confesses his crime, they will grant the request.

Ned is left in the pitch black dungeon below the red keep. He thinks about when he was young and Rhaegar Targaryen won the jousting tournament. He gave the laurels to Lyanna rather than his wife, Princess Elia of Dorne. Ned constantly asks the gaoler for news, but is denied anything but water. Eventually, Varys sneaks down to see him. He updates him on what has been happening. Cersei will visit him and tell of the arrangement made with Sansa. When Ned refuses to lie to save his own life, Varys asks him to think of his daughter. He reminds him that Rhaegar’s daughter, Rhaenys, was younger than either of his when Tywin had her killed.

Robb’s army reaches the twins and a few of Walder Frey’s men ride out to ask their business there. Robb’s men warn him of the dangers of going to see Lord Frey alone. Catlyn decides to go in his place. The old man is blunt and not convinced that he should let them cross the river. Eventually, they come to an agreement. Catlyn will take two of his grandsons as wards back to Winterfell with them. One of his sons, Olyvar, will be Robb’s personal squire. Arya will marry his youngest son, Elmar. Robb will have his choice of Lord Frey’s offspring to marry. He consents. They leave 400 of their own men behind and gain most of Frey’s army.

Commander Mormont sends for Jon Snow. he reveals his Valeryian steal that was found after his quarters burned. He had the handle and hilt replaced and give it to Jon. When he goes to his friends, they all clamor around to see it. Jon shows them before retreating to his room. Sam summons him for Maester Aemon. When Jon finds the old blind maester, he tells him how he was tempted three times in his life to forsake his vows to assist his former family. He knows what Jon is going through and tells him he must make his own choices and live with them. Jon realizes the maester is Aemon Targaryen.

Dany watches as Khal Drogo’s men destroy the khalasar of Khal Ogo, who attacked the shepherds of Lhazareen. Drogo’s men start to rape the surviving girls. Dany stops them and claims the girls for herself. She approaches her husband and Mago complains to him that Dany took his spoils of war. She explains that the men should respect the women and take them as wives. When Mago complains about a sheep being lower than a horse, she points out that dragons eat both. One of the women she claimed, Mirri Max Duur, is a godswife and has had training from Maester Marwyn. She takes Drogo and Dany into the temple with his bloodriders following to heal his wounds. Afterwards, Dany asks her to help deliver her baby.

Tyrion joins his father for dinner and is told he and the clansmen would be under the command of Ser Gregor. Tyrion looses his appetite and stars wandering around the huge camp. he eventually finds his men and the whore, Shae, Bronn acquired for him. He likes her quick wit and has her promise that she will be with only him. She agrees and they spend the night together. He is woken in the early morning by the battle horns being blown. He finds his squire, Podrik, to help him get ready and rides off to battle. He tells his clansmen to keep by the river and they are able to hold it. Afterwards, he finds his father. Tywin had planned on them loosing the left side and Robb sending his forces through the hole. Tyrion seems pleased to have spoiled his plans. Ser Addam Marbrand comes to tell Tywin who they were able to capture and tells him Robb wasn’t with his army in the battle.

Robb and his men patiently waiting for Jaime and his men to be surrounded by their hidden numbers and then attack. Catlyn waits while listening to the sound of the battle she cannot see. When Robb returns to her, he has a different horse and Jaime Lannister. In the King Slayer’s attempt to get to Robb, Three men died that will make some men (Lord Karstark) want revenge. Robb intends to keep Jaime prisoner rather than kill him. He knows the war won’t be over until they have Tywin.

Drogo didn’t like the burning and itching of Mirri’s bandaging, so he had their traditional healers switch them out. Within a few days, he is sick and falls off his horse. Dany demands they set up camp, trying to hide that Drogo is dying. She sends his bloodriders for Mirri, who tells Dany it is too late. The only thing that can save him is blood magic. Dany agrees to pay any price to save him. She starts the ceremony and tells Dany that no one can enter the tent. The bloodriders are furious and try to stop it. Dany’s khas and Jorah stop them, but are hurt. Dany has pain in her stomach and falls to the ground. Jorah carries her into the tent.

Arya has been surviving in the city’s poor district, Flea Bottom, by killing pigeons and trading them for soup and stale bread. She checks the gates daily to try to find a way out, but has no luck. She goes to the docks and sees that the ship that was supposed to take her and Sansa home is still there. he sees men in grey cloaks, but none are familiar. he leaves as quickly as she can. A set of bells ring out to summon everyone to the septon. Ned confesses his crime and the septon looks to King Joffrey for sentencing. He denies Sansa’s request and has him beheaded. Arya tries to run to stop it, but Yoren grabs her and takes her away.

Bran dreamt that his father was in the tombs below Winterfell. Maester Luwin has Osha carry him down to show him it isn’t true. They find Rickon and Shaggy Dog down there. The wolf bites the maester in surprise and Summer helps the old man. Rickon had the same dream as Bran. THey go to the maester’s tower where he tells them about eh Children of the Forest. They lived in what is now the Seven Kingdoms before men, who came over to Dorne and then spread through the rest of the land. Eventually, they were peaceful together. The Andals came and took over everything but the north. The children, giants, and other creatures fled further north. A raven arrives for Maester Luwin to inform him that Ned Stark is dead.

Sansa stays in her town until Joffrey comes to get her. He demands that she watch him at court. When she tries to refuse, he has Ser Meryn hit her. The Hound stays behind after the other two leave to tell her it will be easier if she does what he wants. Sansa gets ready with the help of Lannister servants. After court, Joffrey drags Sansa to the battlements to show her Ned’s head on a pike. She begs him not to make her go, but the Hound convinces her the king will make her go with force. She refuses to acknowledge the tarred remains as her loved ones. He says that he will give her Robb’s head for his name day. When she says that Robb might give her his, Joffery has ser Meryn smack her again. She considers pushing the king off the battlement, but the Hound steps between them to clean her up.

Dany wakes up and learns that her son was taken when Ser Jorah took her into the tent. She is taken to see Drogo who can only follow what they bid him to do. She asks Mirri why she din’t tell her what she was buying. The woman tells her that she lost her life and now her son wouldn’t kill people like what had happened to her home. Dany spends an entire night with Drogo, trying to get any semblance of a reaction. She kisses him before smothering him to death.

Tyrion listens in as the Lannister’s officers try to figure out what to do now that the Starks are united at Riverrun with the Tullys and have Jaime to the west. Stannis is to the east. Lord Renly and his new alliance with Highgarden are now claiming the throne and are to the south. Tywin decides that his army will go to Harrenhal. Tyrion will be sent to King’s Landing to reign in Joffrey after his grave mistake of killing Ned Stark. Tyrion decides that he will defy his father by taking Shae with him.

While Jon Saddles his horse to go help Robb, Sam tires to talk him out of it. Jon rides past him and goes as quickly as he can down the King’s road. Ghost falls behind and Jon figures he will catch up later. his friends catch up and he hides in the trees with his horse. Ghost gives him away. They recite the vows they took as black brothers and convince him to return to the Wall. Jon goes back, planning to leave a different route next time. Commander Mormont calls for him. He tells him he plans on going beyond the wall himself to find Benjen, but he cannot take Jon if he thinks he will run off. Jon realizes the Old Bear is right. Their war is more important than who sits on the throne.

Catlyn, Robb, and the army ride to Riverrun in boats and are greeted by her brother Edmure. She immediately goes to see her father. He asks to see Robb, but says he is too sick to see his brother, Brynden. Catlyn finds Robb with his men in the godswood. He declines to see his grandfather as they must discuss new developments. The lords argue over who to join with or where to strike next. They ignore Catlyn’s cry for peace. eventually, they decide they will grant peace if the Lannisters will recognize Robb as King in the North.

Dany presents the weapons of her bride gift to her khals and asks them to be her bloodriders. Jorah instantly accepts her as queen and vows loyalty. A funeral pyre is built and he begs her not to die with Drogo. She has Mirri tied to it and lights the pyre herself. She watches it burn and lets it surround her as the rest back off. There are three loud cracks. When the fire dies, her khas pledge themselves to her seeing the three dragons she has brought to life.

About the Blogger

My name is Michelle, and I like to read... a lot. As I read a book, I take notes after each chapter. When I finish the book, I type out a summary and post it in this blog.It has taken me a while to find a process that really works. Some of my older summaries will be short and just summarize the overall plot.